The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-04-21
THE BASILISK.
a STORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAPTER xNNIII.
A nrEIANl

the lamps and the shop windows shone
upon Nary's white face and closed eyes.
But ms was upon the point of ordering
the driver to stop at the first chemists shop
I observed signs of returning Il G.
Mary opened her eyes. She started from
me with energy, casting look OF piteous
resolution at me, which spoke eloquent OF
the persecution and misery she had under
gone.
"Mary.nI said, '.my darling, you are
safe now.n
All the misery, and ten thousand times
the dangers had gone through We're as
nothing compared with the happiness OF
seeing the change which came over that
beautiful and gentle face when l sboke.
There is something very piteous in the
sight of the weak standing at bay, the de-
fenceless at last befriended by despair.
Some desperate resolution of resistance u
was, some impulse Of escape at any cost,
which prompted her to spring from my
shielding embrace, and turned the appeal
ing fear of her eyes into look of troubled
courage. 1t showed that the limit OF en-
durance had been reached, and that her
enen les would no longer have had passive
victim to reckon with. Though II her res
cue had been delayed but a little while
longer the i.lstinct OF defiance would. III all
probability. have been aroused too late.
At the sound of my voice sue started,
she sci red nv hands. and looked into my
face Then the revulsion of feeling, from
misery to Joy, from despair to tue certain
ty OF safety, sent such a light INTO her lace
that il positively seemed TO illuminate the
carriage. and to put the bright lights OF
the shops and of the streets to shame.
There was no time for inquiry or Tor ex-
PLANTATION yet. The time was all too short
for the happiness that flooded our whole
beings.
.Safe! Safe.' was the burden of the bliss
full song that was singing in our hearts aud
Transforming the somewhat dlngy nacfe
into Cinierella's chariot. which would not
lose Its megic beauty for the striking OF all
the clocks in all the steeples of Antwerp.
Soon-aII too soon now, we clatfered mp
to the door OF the Hotel St Antoine. There
the first face saw was Shaw's ana being
free from the torturing anxiety Of the last
few hours, lad time TO feel some COM
junction for the way ! had ieit him. he
looked positively i'll with an anxiety. and
the relief and the exultation which he
showed Mt our safe return warmed my
heart toward him more strongly, il possible
than before.
Mary was committed TO the care OF the
".
duce to her security and comfort: but, tired
as she was. she would not 20 to bed before
see had Joined Shaw and me. and sweetly
and tLougltfully thanked our good friend
for all that he had done on her and my be
half.
Shaw exercised little of his professional
authority after while, impressing upon
her the necessity Of thorough fepose after
all the dangers and anxieties she had gone
through.
Twas glad he did SO, for felt that he was
right. but could not bring myself to sug-
gest ANYTHING which should shorten the
first delightful talk, away from the horrible
atmosphere of mystery and crime that over
hung Hanover Lodge. free from tue fear OF
Plowitz and the equally INSCRIPTIONS ana
more dangerous BasilIsk,
When Mary had gone ! told Shaw my
story more III detail. 1t had been told al
ready amid the excitement and INTERRUPT
tions OF general comparing OF notes.
learnt now that Harper had been search.
ing TOR me, full of fears for my safety, and
that Information had been sent over that
the ystery of the explosion at Hanover
Lodge had not been cleared up, that no
trace of any of the inmates could be found,
and that no bodies had yet been discovered.
Aud what said Shaw, do you sup
pose the Basilisk will do now.'
81 cannot tell: cannot think at all yet"
answered. Il don't see what she can do,
but feel sure that ii she can do us any
harm she will; and she is not an enemy to
be despised."
.By no means; but she must keep quiet
now for while. Her intimate relations
with Plowitz, who was apprehended ON Q
charge quite distinct from the attempted
abduction of Miss Fortescue. will prejudice
her greatly il she brings herself Ill any way
under the notice OF the authorities.
I'VE must take Mary back TO England"
said. I'VE shall hear no more of Mr.
Raa1lfov now and circumstances have
made Us her guardians
sYes,n said Shaw; the sooner we arc
back III England the better
And we talked long and late over oul
plans, arranging finally that Shaw shoult
make arrangements for Mary TO stay fol
the present with his sister widow, wht
had large and pleasant house at Rich
mond, where she generally had charge @
two or three Indian children. We mus
then see what could be done to find on
the state OF her affairs and await the up
shot of the police enquiries into the case o
Plowitz and the disaster at Hanover Lodge
Then, with a hearty and congratulator,
shake of the hand, and with minds fire.
from care and full Of hope. we parted, ant
! slept as q man should who had gon
through great suspense and come out tri
mphant-
In the morning Mary appeared looking
to my JOY and surprise, but little the wors
for her troubles and fatgues. JOY, hope
and security had wrought great change j
one night OF serene rest. Accompanied b
Harper and subordinate, set out abou
eleven o'clock for the scene of last night
adventure, to obtain from old Mdme. DE
bruyck all the details we could. with a yie'
to bringing the Basilisk within the grasp .
the law. We arrived to find the house d.
serted and shut up.
mo matter" said Harper; 1--WE shall |
able to lay hands on thenl.'
We then proceeded to the house whel
Plowitz had first taken Mary, and foun
there the small travelling trunk which w,
all she had been allowed to bring with lie
.sWell," said ! on our return, tive la
better cross by to nights boat
"You can't very well,' said Harper, III
less you're going to let the whole thin
drop
This was quite willing to do, though II
desire OF seeing condign punishment j
hicted upon all who had had share III til
dendiSh scheme was very strong. Shaw
first advised strong measures, but Mary VI
evidently i'll at ease till Sue should be aga
on English ground, and. this time amor
friends.
s.What does it matter?n asked "Plowi
IS accounted for without our interference
The Delbruycks We're only instruments
the hands Of Miss Beaufoy. She will scarce
be able to harm us again. She can new
return to England
..And Mr. Beaufoyl" said Shaw
"He has covered the traces OF his illeg
practices with 'he ruins of his house.
will not be heard Of again. What viii l
safety be worth now Plowitz is captured
'sBut it would be well to see him." sa
Shaw-..to make him give some account
his stewardship of Miss Forteseue's {
fairs"
.sThat doesn't matter" said Mary nj
vously. ~ would rather not see him aga
-ever.o
"But should" said /. st is very il
portant that we should see Dir. Beaut'
somehow.
At this moment the door was throw
open and waiter announced:
"A gentleman TO see mademoiselle"
And with disagreeabe smile upon
face, faultlessly dressed, and looking t
picture of prosperity and influential
spectability, ,Mr Beaufoy strobe into t
room. He was accompanied by an ofici
looking individual, Belgian. There was
moment of silence on our part from astc
ishment. Mary shrunk back between Shs
and me and put her hand in mine.
Il am Gomez said Mr.. Beanfoy, F" to fet
my ward, Mary, get ready, at once, !
dear, to come with me. And you, sir, J.